Ignition key stuck in 2003 Chrysler Sebring LX steering column

Discussion in 'Sebring' started by Gene, Aug 8, 2007.

  1. Gene

    Gene Guest

    I can't get the ignition key out of the ignition cylinder.
    The car is in park.
    The brake is held down with pressure.
    I have tried wiggling, twisting, shaking just about everything.
    Eventually, it will slide out as normal.
    For the next few insert, start, and remove key - it works fine.
    Then for some unknown reason, it hangs again.
    It seems to fail at the last notch, when key is turned counter-clockwise
    for normal extraction.

    I will go try & locate the cable linkage from the automatic shifter
    and see if there is an adjustment.

    Are there any other things that I can check?

    I'm pretty sure the key is good, as we just paid Chrysler $30 to
    cut a new one from the VIN.

    What is the procedure for removing the key cylinder from the steering
    column? Does it pop out, or do you need to remove the steering wheel
    plastic, etc?

    Possible recall for this problem on a 2003 Sebring LX ?

    Thanks,
    Gene
     
    Gene, Aug 8, 2007
    #1
  2. Gene

    Bill Putney Guest

    There is an adjustment procedure for the interlock cable at the shifter.
    On the LH car, there is a cable adjustment locking latch at the
    shifter (at the shiofter end of the interlock cable sheath) that you
    release with the key in trhe ignition and the ignition switch in the
    fully OFF (steering wheel lock) position and the shifter in Park
    position. This allows the cable to adjust itself to the correct
    position. Then you re-engage the cable aduster latch. I can only
    assume the Sebring is designed the same way (but I can't be 100% sure of
    that - someone would have to check the Sebring FSM).

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Aug 8, 2007
    #2
  3. Gene

    L.G.R. Guest

    I would try to lubricate by shooting light oil from a spray can inside the
    ignition key hole. Good luck.
    L.G.R.
     
    L.G.R., Aug 8, 2007
    #3
  4. Gene

    philthy Guest

    go to locksmith, have them code you a new ing. key cylinder to your key. take it
    home remove column covers then turn key to run position find small tab on bottom
    side of column (directly under keyclinder but on outside housing) push in the
    button and remove the cylinder with key at the same time. the rest is easy
    dealer cost of said repair 200 or more yours 50 bucs
     
    philthy, Aug 9, 2007
    #4
  5. Gene

    who Guest

    I agree and have used Dura Lube for years.
     
    who, Aug 9, 2007
    #5
  6. Gene

    Bill Putney Guest

    How do you tell if it's a cylinder problem and not a shifter interlock
    cable adjustment issue?

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Aug 9, 2007
    #6
  7. Gene

    Gene Guest

    THANKS, all.

    It turned out to be a really simple fix.
    The little plastic part in the shifter mechanism was damaged
    on the top. I simply took an Exacto-knife & trimmed off
    a tiny bit of plastic that was interfering with the said part
    popping up and into the park position. Once the plastic
    part could pop up, the cable was pulled and the park
    switch was tripped - this sending a signal to let ne have my key.

    Seeing that it was a crummy design, I popped of the lid on my
    2003 Sebring also - and it was starting to fail as well. All you need to
    do is gently trim off a little of the damaged (worn) plastic &
    spray on a little white grease - then all is like new.

    THANKS again,
    Gene
     
    Gene, Aug 11, 2007
    #7
  8. Gene

    Bill Putney Guest

    So it wasn't the cylinder itself - I wondered. Based on this one
    incident and a recent discussion on the 300M Club forums, I have to
    wonder how many of these "stuck key" scenarios are related to the
    shifter interlock and not the cylinder itself. Seems the knee jerk
    reaction by dealers and locksmiths, as well as people on various forums
    is that it's always the cylinder needing replacing.

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Aug 11, 2007
    #8
  9. Gene

    maxpower Guest


    When the ignition cyl goes bad the key will not turn to the start or the off
    position or it just wont come out !! If the Shifter Interlock is the problem
    the key will go to start and back but will not go to the off position.

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Aug 11, 2007
    #9
  10. Gene

    philthy Guest

    chrysler ingition cylinders have a real high failure rate and since the car is not in
    front of me, i can only guess but i do more ingition cylinders than shift interlocks
     
    philthy, Aug 12, 2007
    #10
  11. Gene

    ambientgurl Guest

    I'm not positive, but I think there was a Technical Service Bulletin
    about this, or a related issue. I vaugely recall reading about a
    problem with the shifter "popping out of park" or something like that,
    and something related to the interlock switch. Might be related to
    what you had, or might be totally different. Not sure.

    If the TSB applies to your car, the dealer will repair for no charge.
     
    ambientgurl, Jul 4, 2008
    #11
  12. Gene

    SRN Guest

    Don't count on the "no charge" part
     
    SRN, Jul 4, 2008
    #12
  13. Gene

    Bill Putney Guest

    Yes - with very few exceptions, every TSB I've read have this at the
    end: "POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.",
    meaning if vehicle is still under warranty, the repair or adjustment is
    covered. If out of warranty, the repair is on the customer's nickel.

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Jul 5, 2008
    #13
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